Arrangement for identifying customer films and evaluating means therefor

ABSTRACT

The receptacles for customer films which are delivered to a dealer for shipment to a processing laboratory are connected with plate-like carriers of information by means of bolt-shaped attaching devices having coupling portions which can extend into sockets provided in the takeup reels of the receptacles. A carrier includes a first section which is handed to the customer as a receipt, a second section which is kept by the dealer as his receipt, and a third section which is pivotably connected to the receptacle so that it can assume a predetermined position by gravity when the receptacle is inserted into a support forming part of an evaluating apparatus in the processing laboratory. The apparatus has an automatic reader which scans the third section for encoded information and transmits the information to a punching device which encodes the information in the leading or trailing end of the customer film while the film is being withdrawn or after the film has been withdrawn from the receptacle.

United States Patent 1191 Weber et al.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 ARRANGEMENT FOR IDENTIFYING CUSTOMER FILMS AND EVALUATING MEANS THEREFOR [73] Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft,

Leverkusen, Germany 22 Filed: July 20, 1973 21 Appl.No.: 381,888

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 21, 1972 Germany 2235779 [52] US. Cl. 206/459; 40/20 A; 40/311; 215/355; 235/61.12 R; 206/389; 206/820 [51] Int. (11. B65D 79/00; B65D 39/04; G09F 3/08 [58] Field of Search 206/459, DIG. 29, 316, 206/389, 393; 40/2 R, 311, 331, 20 R, 20 A; 215/355 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,154 3/1914 Portmore 40/2 R 1,276,735 8/1918 Devney 1. 40/331 1,332,421 3/1920 Bogardus 40/2 R 2,196,785 4/1940 Takiguchi... 215/355 2,281,800 5/1942 Riedesel 215/355 X 2,764,829 10/1956 Kingman 206/D1G. 29

2,930,155 3/1960 Becker 40/2 R 3,028,070 4/1962 Schnur et 11,. 40/2 R X 3,358,824 12/1967 Stagritto 206/459 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,082,517 6/1954 France H 215/355 Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT The receptacles for customer films which are delivered to a dealer for shipment to a processing laboratory are connected with plate-like carriers of information by means of bolt-shaped attaching devices having coupling portions which can extend into sockets provided in the takeup reels of the receptacles. A carrier includes a first section which is handed to the customer as a receipt, a second section which is kept by the dealer as his receipt, and a third section which is pivotably connected to the receptacleso that it can assume a predetermined position by gravity when the receptacle is inserted into a support forming part of an evaluating apparatus in the processing laboratory. The apparatus has an automatic reader which scans the third section for encoded information and transmits the information to a punching device which encodes the information in the leading or trailing end of the customer film while the film isbeing withdrawn or after the film has been withdrawn from the receptacle.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,907,110

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of 3 3,907,110

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,907,110

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in the process of exposed photographic films, and more particularly to improvements in identification of customer films during shipment to a processing laboratory and/or during shipment from the laboratory back to the customer. The invention also relates to apparatus for evaluating the information which is stored, transported and/or otherwise processed in accordance with the present proposal.

It is already known to identify customer films by means of labels which carry the name and address of the customer, the name, address and/or number of the dealer, and/or other information whicha photographic processing laboratory normally receives from a dealer or directly from a customer. As a rule, the labels consist of a flexible material and are attached to cassettes containing customer films by means of a suitable adhesive. The information is normally encoded on the label in the form of perforations or holes.

A serious drawback of information carriers in the form of adhesive-coated labels is that they cannot always be applied to a cassette or a similar receptacle for customer film in such position and/or at such location that the information can be readily evaluated by an automatic reader. Moreover, a label which is attached to a receptacle for customer film by means of adhesive is likely to become loose or detached, for example, by adhering to an adjacent receptacle. Still further, the selection of a proper adhesive also presents problems because the number of suitable adhesives is limited due to the fact that their ingredients should not adversely influence the sensitive emulsion on customer films.

SUMMARY 'oF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved arrangement which allows for convenient identification and/or manipulation (such as transport, development, making ofprints from film frames, shipment back to a dealer or directly to a customer and/or others) or customer films which are stored in receptacles, especiallyin receptacles of the class having openings, sockets and/or other types ofcoupling elements in their casings and/or in the parts (such as reels) which are confined therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which not ony allows for convenient identification and/or manipulation of customer films but can also serve as a means for providing the customer and/or the dealer'with a receipt forcustomer film which is being shipped to a laboratory for processing including the making of prints, mounting in the form of diapositives and/or development.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ar-' An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus whichcan be used in a photographic processing laboratory for convenient transfer of information, which is encoded in the aforementioned arrangement, on customer films prior to processing of films in a developing and/or printing apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can evaluate the information semiau tomatically or in a fully automatic way, which can be assembled of a small number of relatively simple components, and which can be designed to accept receptacles of different types and/0r sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an evaluating apparatus which can support successive receptacles for customer films in such a way that the information which is encoded on the aforementioned arrangement for any one of a series of receptacles invariably assumes an optimumposition for evaluation in a photov graphic processing laboratory.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an arrangement for facilitating the identification and manipulation of customer films which are confined in cassettes, cartridges or analogous receptacles of the type having coupling elements in the form of openings, sockets or the like. The arrangement comprises a substantially flat carrier of information pertaining to the customer (such as the owner of customer film and/or the dealer who collects films from customers and sends or delivers them to a photograhic processing laboratory) and/or the nature of processing of customer films (including the number of prints to be made from each satisfactory negative, the size of enlargements, instructions to mount the film frames in the form of diapositives and/or others), and an attaching device for preferably movably securing the carrier to a receptacle. The attaching device may resemble a bolt and includes a coupling portion which is connectable to the coupling element of a receptacle.

The carrier is preferably provided with an aperture (e.g., a circular hole), and the attaching device preferably further comprises a substantially cylindrical second portion which is received in the aperture with at least some clearance while the coupling portion of the attaching device is connected to the coupling element of a receptacle. The attaching device preferably further comprises a flange-like handgrip portion whose diameter exceeds the diameter of the aperture, preferably by at least two millimeters, and the aforementioned sec ond portion of the attaching device .is preferably located between the handgrip portion and the coupling portion. y

The carrier preferably includes at least two sections and a weakened portion connecting the sections to each other and being readily breakable to allow for separation of the sections from each other. The ,informa tion on the carrier preferably includes identical bits of information on each section. Such bits may include a serial number which is in numerical form on at least one of the sections and in the form of holes or the like on another section.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for the evaluation of information encoded in the section ofthe carrier which is being sent to a processing laboratory. The apparatus comprises a support fora receptacle which is provided with a carrier of information, means for withdrawing customer film from the receptacle inthe support (such means may include a device for cracking open the receptacle or a device which simply draws the films from the receptacle), reader means for scanning the information which is encoded on the carrier section attached to the receptacle in the support, and encoding means (e.g., a device for punching holes into customer film) which is electrically connected with the reader means and is operative to encode the information scanned by the reader means in the leading or trailing end of the withdrawn customer film. The reader means and the support for receptacles are preferably mounted in such a way that the carrier section which is connected to the receptacle and is movable relative to the receptacle under the action of gravity can assume an optimum position relative to the reader means when the receptacle is properly inserted into or placed onto the support.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved arrangement itself, however, both as to its construction and the mode of manipulating and evaluating the same, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first receptacle for customer film which is separably connected with an arrangement embodying the present invention, the parts of the arrangement being further shown in positions they assume prior to connection with the receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second receptacle which is connected with the arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third receptacle which is connected with the improved arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the information carrier of the improved arrangement;

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of the attaching device which forms part of the arrangement; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic clevational view of an apparatus for evaluating in a processing laboratory for customer films the information which is stored in a portion of the carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a receptacle 1 of the type known as Instamatic cassette or 126- cassette which is assumed to contain a supply of exposed but undeveloped customer film. The receptacle 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical first portion 1a which contains a supply reel (not shown). a similar second portion 1!; which contains a takeup reel (not shown), and a relatively flat intermediate portion 1d wherein the foremost unexposed film frame is located (behind a window 1e) during exposure to scene light. The second portion 1/) has at its right-hand end. as viewed in the drawings, an opening which affords access to a coupling element at the respective end of the takeup reel so that the latter can be rotated during filming i.c., between successive exposures. in order to place successive unexposed film frames into register with the window 1e. One flange of the takeup reel in the second portion 1b preferably extends outwardly through the aforementioned opening so that the coupling element of the takeup reel is readily accessible for engagement with a complementary coupling element of the film transporting mechanism when the receptacle 1 is properly inserted into the body ofa photographic apparatus. As a rule, the coupling element in the takeup reel is a socket which can receive a male coupling element of the film transporting mechanism. The dimensions of the socket are normally close to or coincide exactly with desired optimum dimensions to thus insure a satisfactory engagement between the socket and the male coupling element.

The socket of the takeup reel can further receive a coupling portion of an attaching device 2 for a portion or section 3 of a plate-like information carrier 3 (FIG. 4) whereby the inserted coupling portion of the attaching device 2 engages the takeup reel with a sufficient force (preferably by friction) to prevent or reduce the likelihood of accidental separation. The attaching de vice 2 resembles a bolt having at one end a flange 2a (see FIG. 5) whose diameter exceeds the diameter of the circular aperture 30 in one end portion of the information carrier section 3 by at least two millimeters. The information carrier (hereinafter called plate for short) preferably consists of an opaque synthetic plastic material and its section 3' which is illustrated in FIG. I is provided with bits of encoded information in the form of holes or perforations 3b so that it actually constitutes a punched card adapted to be transported past or through an automatic reader which decodes the information and is operatively connected with suitable recording or encoding means in a manner to be described with refcrence to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the attaching device 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical intermediate portion 2b which is adjacent to the flange 2a and extends through the aperture 30 of a properly mounted section 3' whereby the section 3 can turn on the cylindrical intermediate portion 2b so that it normally assumes the upright position shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 1 in which the aperture 30 is located at its upper end. The axial length of the cylindrical portion 2b preferably exceeds the thickness of the section 3' in the region of the aperture 30 (e.g., several times) so that the section 3' can readily assume a position which is dictated by gravity after the coupling portion of the attaching device 2 is inserted into the socket of the takeup reel.

The right-hand portion of FIG. 1 illustrates the attaching device 2 prior to assembly with the section 3 and cassette 1.

FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the attaching device 2 can be connected to the takeup reel in a conventional cartridge 4 for 36-millimeter roll film. The takeup reel is again provided with a socket which can receive the coupling portion of the attaching device 2 whereby the cylindrical intermediate portion 2b extends through the aperture 30 of a section 3 in the same way as described with reference to FIG. I, i.e., so that section 3' assumes by gravity an upright position in which it can be scanned by an automatic reader.

FIG. 3 illustrates a recently developed miniature cassette or cartridge 5 for roll film having minute film frames, an attaching device 2 of the type shown in FIG. 5, and a section 3 which is freely turnable on the cylindrical intermediate portion 2b of the attaching device. The flange 20 serves as a handgrip portion of the attaching device 2 as well as a means for limiting the extent of sidcwise movement of the section 3 (i.c., in the axial direction of the cylindrical intermediate portion 2b). The miniature cartridge 5 resembles to a certain extent the cassette 1 of FIG. 1, and its takeup reel is also provided with a socket for thecoupling portion the attaching device 2.

A complete information carrierplate 3 is illustrated in full size FIG. 4. This plate includes the aforementioned portion or section 3, an intermediate portion or section 6 which is to be kept by the dealer, and a third portion or section 7 which is to serve as a receipt for the customer. The sections 3, 6, 7 are connected to each other by transversely extending weakened portions 8 each of which may be provided with one'or more grooves or with a row of perforations to'allow for effortless separation of the section 6 from the section 3 and/or 7. The plate 3 is normally furnished to the dealer by a photographic processing laboratory. Prior to attaching the section 3 to a receptacle 1, 4 or 5, the dealer breaks off the section 7 and hands it to the customer who delivered the exposed film in a receptacle 1, 4 or 5. The dealer also breaks off the section 6 and keeps it as a receipt. The section 3 is attached to the receptacle and is shipped or otherwise delivered to the processing laboratory.

The bits of information on the sections 3, 6, 7 of a plate 3 include the following: First of all, each of the sections 3', 6, 7 is provided with an identical serial number (see the numbers 471 l 5 on the sections 6 and 7). Such serial numbers are imprinted, impressed or otherwise applied to discrete plates 3 by the manufacturer so that each plate carries a different serial number which appears thereon three times, namely, once on each ofits sections 3, 6, and 7. The serial number identifies the customer film all the way from the time when the receptacle with customer film therein is received by a dealer and to the time when the developed film (with or without prints) is returned to the customer. If desired, the processing laboratory can instruct the manufacturer to furnish blank plates 3 (without serial num bers), and the serial numbers are imprinted or otherwise applied to groups of plates at the processing laboratory prior to shipment to different dealers. It is not necessary that the serial number be applied only in the form as shown on the sections 6 and 7 of FIG. 4; thus, the section 3 may be provided with an encoded serial number whereas the sections 6 and 7 exhibit the same serial number but in a form (e.g., of numerals 4, 7, l, 1 and 5) which can be readily read by the dealer and/or customer. It is assumed that certain perforations 3b in the section 3 of the plate 3 shown in FIG. 4 represent the serial number 471 15.

In addition to the serial number, the customers section 7 is provided with information including the name, address and/other data pertaining to the dealer as well as with a space for insertion of the data of anticipated completion of the order so that the customer is apprised of the exact or approximate time when the exposed and developed film, with or without prints, is expected to be returned to the dealer from the processing laboratory.

The section 6 of the plate 3 is intended to be kept by the dealer as a receipt for the order and as a means for facilitating the tracing of lost or misplaced customer films. If desired, the section 6 can be provided with space for insertion of the name, address and telephone number of the customer, and with space for entering the data on which the order has been received.

The encoded information on the section 3 may represent the name, address and account number of the dealer so that the laboratory can charge the amount due for completed work to the proper dealer and that the laboratory can return to him the developed film (with or without prints). Still further, the information on the section '3 may include instructions concerning the number of prints to be made from'acceptable negatives, the size of each print, and/or others.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the attaching device 2 further comprises a coupling portion which is dimensioned and configurated in such a way that the attaching device can be used to separably and turnably secure a section 3' to any one of several types of receptacles for customer-film. The entire attaching device may consist of a synthetic thermoplastic material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride) and may be produced by injection molding or by resorting to another suitable technique. The coupling portion of the attaching device 2 comprises several (e.g., three) parts 2c, 2d, 2e of progressively smaller diameter each of which may but need not only include a conical portion 2 f to facilitate introduction into the socket of a takeup reel. The conical portions 2f taper in the direction in which the attaching device 2 must be moved in order to introduce its coupling portion into a socket. Each of the parts 20, 2d, 2e is of generally cylindrical outline and at least one thereof (e.g., the smallest-diameter part 22) may be provided with one or more circumferential grooves 2g to enhance its elasticity and to insure a more reliable retaining action when the corresponding part is received in a socket. Also, the enhanced elasticity of one or more parts of the coupling portion insures that the elastic part can be received in a socket even though the dimensions of the socket deviate substantially from a norm. If desired, the grooves 2g can be disposed in planes which are not exactly normal to the axis of the attaching device 2 so that the rings 2m which constitute portions of the part 2e and separate the grooves 2g from each other act not unlike claws or barbs and yieldably oppose accidental separation of the attaching device from a takeup reel. The part 20 is assumed to be dimensioned for insertion into the socket of the takeup reel in a miniature cassette 5, the part 2e for insertion into the socket of the takeup reel in a cartridge 4, and the part 2d for insertion into the socket of the takeup reel in the second portion lb of the cassette 1 shown in FIG. 1. The elasticity of the attaching device 2 can be furtherenhanced by providing its portions 2b-2e with one or more axially parallel (radially extending) slots, not shown. The hole 211 in the flange 2a permits escape of air from the socket which receives the part 2c, 2d or 2e of the coupling portion. The feature that the attaching device 2 has a large-diameter cavity 2k also contributes to its elasticity as well as to lower weight and lower cost.

The fact that the socket of one takeup reel receives that part 2e whereas another socket receives the part 2d or 2e of the coupling portion is of no consequence because the depth of such sockets is invariably sufficient to insure that the inactive part of the coupling portion can be accommodated therein. For example, if a socket can snugly receive the part 20, such socket is deep enough to accommodate the parts 2d and 2e.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of an apparatus which can be used in a processing laboratory to evaluate the infor mation on the section 3 of a plate 3 while the section 3' is turnably secured to the respective receptacle (FIG. 6 shows a receptacle 1). The receptacle 1 is located in or on support 9 so that the axis of its takeup reel is substantially horizontal and that the section 3 extends by gravity vertically downwardly and is in an optimum position relative to an automatic reader 10. The latter can form part of an automatic removing unit which can crack open the cassette 1 in order to remove the roll of film from its interior. The leader of customer film F is transported along a horizontal path by two driven advancing rolls 11, 12 so that it passes through a punching station including recording or encoding means 13 which is electrically connected with the reader and applies to the film F some or all of the information which is contained on the section 3'. The punching station is followed by a splicer 14 which serves to connect the leader of film F with the trailing end of the preceding customer film F1 so that a series of such films from a large roll 15 which is convoluted on a bobbin. The latter is then transferred into a developing apparatus and the films processed in the customary way not forming part of the present invention.

The sequence of operations involving the processing of a cassette 1 with customer film F therein is as follows:

The customer delivers or mails the cassette 1 to a dealer (e.g., to a shop dealing in cameras, films and related products) who is associated with a processing lab oratory and has received from the laboratory a supply of plates 3 each having a serial number on each of its sections 3'. 6, 7, and the dealers name, address and account number on the sections 3 and 6. In order to facilitate discrimination between different types of receptacles. the plates 3 can be furnished in different styles and/or colors. one for attachment to a receptacle 1, another for attachment to a receptacle 4 and still another for attachment to a receptacle 5.

The clerk at the dealers shop detaches the section 7 and hands or mails it to the customer as a receipt for the cassette and the customer film therein. At the same time, the clerk enters the date of anticipated completion of the order on the section 7. The section 6 is then provided with the date of receipt of customer film and is separated from the section 3' to be retained by the dealer as a receipt for the delivery of customer film to the laboratory. At the same time. the clerk writes the name and address of the customer onto the section 6 so that the customer can be traced if he fails to pick up the order within a reasonable time. The section 6 is stored in the files of the dealer. and the clerk connects the section 3' to the cassette 1 by means of an attaching device 2. All that is necessary is to introduce the coupling portion of such attaching device into and through the aperture 3a of the section 3 and to insert the coupling portion into the socket of the takeup reel with a force which insures that the attaching device cannot be accidentally separated from the cassette 1.

The cassette 1, with the section 3' of the plate 3 and an attaching device 2 secured thereto, is thereupon mailed or delivered to or picked up by the processing laboratory. In the laboratory, the cassette 1 is placed into or onto the support 9 of FIG. 6 and the leader of the film f is withdrawn (with or without partial or com plete opening of the cassette) so that it can be introduced between the advancing rolls 11, 12. The section 3 assumes the position of FIG. 6 owing to gravity so that the information which is encoded therein can be deciphered by the reader 10 and transmitted to the encoding device 13 at the punching station for application to the customer film F. The encoding device 13 can punch the information into the leader or into the trailing end of the customer film F. The evacuated cassette l is thereupon expelled from the support 9 and is introduced into a collecting receptacle for disposal or for reuse in the making of fresh cassettes.

The leader of the film F is spliced to the trailing end of the preceding customer film F1 in the splicing device 14 and is thereupon convoluted on the bobbin to form part of the roll 15 which is transferred into the developing apparatus. The developing apparatus can be followed by a printing apparatus which makes one or more prints from each satisfactory negative.

Each print can be readily identified due to encoding of information on the respective customer film. The prints normally form an elongated web which is transported in synchronism with the films of the roll 15. The film of the roll 15 and the web of prints are thereupon subdivided into discrete film frames or groups of successive film frames and into discrete prints which are introduced into envelopes and shipped or delivered to the dealer. It is clear that the roll 15 can be subdivided into discrete customer films which are convoluted in the customary way and returned to the dealer together with the respective prints. The information which is encoded on the customer films is read and used for the writing of bills or for charging the accounts of the respective dealers. as well as for writing the addresses of dealers so that orders can be returned to proper parties. The customer can pick up the completed order from the dealer who can readily identify the order by the serial number on the customers receipt 7.

It is clear that the apparatus of FIG. 6 can be modified in a number of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example. the punched information on the section 3 of a plate 3 can be exposed onto the leader or trailing end of the respective customer film. Moreover, the plates 3 may be made of flexible material, such as strong paper, cardboard or the like. Still further, the shape of the plate 3 may be changed and the sequence in which the sections 3, 6, 7 are connected to each other can be altered. Also, the processing laboratory can supply the dealer with several types of attaching devices 2, one for each type of customer film. For example, the different attaching devices can be colored in the same way as the respective plates 3 so that the dealer can readily find an apprpriate plate 3 for each attaching device 2 or vice versa.

An important advantage of the arrangement including an attaching device 2 and a plate 3 is that the attaching device can be used to separably connect the section 3 of a plate to any one of a variety of differently dimensioned and/or configuratcd receptacles. as long as the receptacles (or the parts mounted therein) are provided with coupling elements in the form of openings, holes. sockets or the like which are capable of accepting at least one part of the coupling portion on the attaching device. Such receptacles may include a cartridge of the type shown in FIG. 2, a l26-cassette of the type shown in FIG. 1, a llO-cassette of the type shown in FIG. 3, and/or others.

Another advantage of the improved arrangement is that each section 3 automatically assumes a predetermined optimum position with respect to the reader 10 as soon as the respective receptacle is properly mounted in or on the support 9 of the evaluating apparatus in a processing laboratory. Thus, each and every one of a series of sections 3 will assume the same optimum position with respect to the reader because the diameter of the aperture 30 exceeds the diameter of the cylindrical intermediate portion 2b of an attaching device and because the axial length of the portion 21; exceeds the thickness of the section 3' in the region of the aperture 3a. The position of the section 3' relative to a receptacle 1, 4 or 5 is determined by the position of the socket or an analogous coupling element on or in the receptacle and by the position of the receptacle relative to the support of the evaluating apparatus. The pivotal mounting of the section 3 is desirable because the thus mounted section is less likely to be damaged or detached from the respective receptacle, for example, when a large number of receptacles, each with a section 3' pivotably secured thereto, are thrown into a bag or box for shipment to the laboratory. If a section is subjected to stresses during introduction into or during storage in a container or during shipment to the laboratory, it is likely to pivot to a position in which the stress (and therefore the likelihood of damage) is reduced.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In combination with a receptacle confining customer films and having coupling elements in the form of sockets, and arrangement for facilitating the identification and manipulation of films confined in such receptacles, said arrangement comprising an elongated substantially flat carrier of information pertaining to the nature of processing the customer films and to the customer, said carrier having in the region of one end thereof a circular aperture; and attaching means for releasably securing said carrier to a receptacle, said attaching means having a coupling portion fitting the coupling element of the receptacle and a substantially circular second portion extending with sufficient clearance through said aperture to allow said carrier to assume a position dictated by gravity with respect to the receptacle to which it is secured.

2. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means further includes a handgrip portion,

said second portion being disposed intermediate said handgrip portion and said coupling portion.

3. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier includes at least two sections and a weakened portion connecting said sections to each other and being breakable to allow for separation of said sections from each other.

4. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said weakened portion includes a row of perforations.

5. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said information includes identical bits of information on all of said sections.

6. Arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein one of said bits is encoded in a form different from that of the other bit.

7. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said sections is provided with said aperture, the information on said one section including an encoded customer identification number and encoded instructions pertaining to the nature of processing of customer film.

8. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein the axial length of said second portion exceeds the thickness of said carrier in the region of said aperture.

9. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means consists of synthetic plastic material.

10. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means constitutes a hollow bolt-shaped member.

11. Arrangement defined in claim 1, said attaching means further comprising a flange-like handgrip portion having a diameter exceeding the diameter of said aperture, said second portion of said attaching means being located intermediate said handgrip portion and said coupling portion.

12. Arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein the diameter of said handgrip portion exceeds the diameter of said aperture by at least two millimeters.

l3. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling portion comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical parts having different diameters, each of said parts being connectable to a differently dimensioned coupling element.

14. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said parts of said coupling portion includes a conical portion tapering in a direction in which the attaching means is moved during the establishment of a connection between said coupling portion and a coupling element.

15. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein said attaching means has a ventilating hole for escape of air from a socket during insertion of said coupling portion into the socket.

16. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein at least one of said cylindrical parts is grooved to enhance its elasticity. 

1. In combination with a receptacle confining customer films and having coupling elements in the form of sockets, and arrangement for facilitating the identification and manipulation of films confined in such receptacles, said arrangement comprising an elongated substantially flat carrier of information pertaining to the nature of processing the customer films and to the customer, said carrier having in the region of one end thereof a circular aperture; and attaching means for releasably securing said carrier to a receptacle, said attaching means having a coupling portion fitting the coupling element of the receptacle and a substantially circular second portion extending with sufficient clearance through said aperture to allow said carrier to assume a position dictated by gravity with respect to the receptacle to which it is secured.
 2. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means further includes a handgrip portion, said second portion being disposed intermediate said handgrip portion and said coupling portion.
 3. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier includes at least two sections and a weakened portion connecting said sections to each other and being breakable to allow for separation of said sections from each other.
 4. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said weakened portion includes a row of perforations.
 5. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said information includes identical bits of information on all of said sections.
 6. Arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein one of said bits is encoded in a form different from that of the other bit.
 7. Arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said sections is provided with said aperture, the information on said one section including an encoded customer identification number and encoded instructions pertaining to the nature of processing of customer film.
 8. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein the axial length of said second portion exceeds the thickness of said carrier in the region of said aperture.
 9. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means consists of synthetic plastic material.
 10. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means constitutes a hollow bolt-shaped member.
 11. Arrangement defined in claim 1, said attaching means further comprising a flange-like handgrip portion having a diameter exceeding the diameter of said aperture, said second portion of said attaching means being located intermediate said handgrip portion and said coupling portion.
 12. Arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein the diameter of said handgrip portion exceeds the diameter of said aperture by at least two millimeters.
 13. Arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling portion comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical parts having different diameters, each of said parts being connectable to a differently dimensioned coupling element.
 14. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said parts of said coupling portion includes a conical portion tapering in a direction in which the attaching means is moved during the establishment of a connection between said coupling portion and a coupling element.
 15. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein said attaching means has a ventilating hole for escape of air from a socket during insertion of said coupling portion into the socket.
 16. Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein at least one of said cylindrical parts is grooved to enhance its elasticity. 